Yesterday Reggie’s’ Twitter account responded to Clarke Perkins’ column, “Tigerland’s dress code is discriminatory.”
The bar claimed its policies only served to protect its patrons and adhere to standards promoted by other public institutions.
But Reggie’s thrives off racism. The bar is designed to make white people feel comfortable by discriminating against black people. Aside from the institutionally racist dress code, Reggie’s’ Confederate flag sends a not-so-subtle hint to make LSU’s black community feel unwelcomed.
The bar’s response to Perkins highlights why racism lives on. The rest of society’s subscription to covert racism in the form of dress code policies does not justify a policy allowing discrimination against black people.
The response cites East Baton Rouge Parish School System and various Baton Rouge banks’ policies banning do-rags, exposed chains and sunglasses worn inside.
Think, for a moment, about who wears these items. For the most part, it’s not fraternity guys. It’s not hipsters. It’s not video game nerds. Black people are the target of this policy, plain and simple.
It’s not just Tigerland, though. This is a broader societal issue, especially in Baton Rouge.
Just because a public school system or bank enforces similar policies does not mean the policies themselves are not racist.
Middle schoolers and bargoers should not be held to the same dress code standards. Should bargoers be required to raise their hands when they need to use the restroom?
The ability to go to a bar and enjoy time with friends should not be limited by race.
Reggie’s questions Perkins’ reasoning in “defending the rights” of a “select group,” clearly referring to blacks.
They are correct: Black people’s rights are not the only rights that matter. However, their rights are the ones undermined at Reggie’s.
If Tigerland discriminated against white people, the policies would change by the next T-shirt night. Even at a predominantly black establishment, a white man would never be turned away for wearing boat shoes and a polo.
The biggest disgrace by Reggie’s administration was closing out their subtly racist defense by quoting “a great man” — Martin Luther King Jr.
King quotes are the cop-out for racists to justify discriminatory practices. Reggie’s chose to use a dead man for justification because King can’t denounce them from the grave.
If you believe for a minute Reggie’s would not turn King away for wearing a gold chain and Nike Air Force Ones, then you are fooling yourself more than the author who thinks referring to blacks as “a select group” makes the argument anymore politically correct or less offensive.
We don’t propose a boycott on Reggie’s and Tigerland, but we do propose students recognize Reggie’s’ thought process is the obstacle in obtaining equality in our society.
We’re not asking you to stop going to Reggie’s and other bars like it, but we are asking you to be a little more cognizant of who you’re handing your money to.
Racism hides behind dress codes and Thursday nights in Tigerland. Unless students call these institutions out on their racism, nothing will ever change.
Clarke Perkins, Jack Richards, Justin DiCharia, Jay Cranford, Garrett Hines and Cody Sibley contributed to this column.